Changing Patterns of Climate in Kuwait

Abstract

Climatic changes are recognized as a major threat to the survival of species and integrity of ecosystems world over. Little research has been focused to assess the climatic changes in the state of Kuwait. In this context, a study was conducted at the department of biological sciences, Kuwait University to assess the changing climatic patterns of Kuwait. The variations in the average weather parameters between two periods (1962–1998 and 1999–2004) were studied. Distinct variations in the climatic patterns were noticed between these periods. Compared to 1962–1998 period, during 1999–2004 period, there was an increase in period mean maximum temperature by 1.29°C, period mean minimum temperature by 0.73°C and period mean temperature by 1.14°C. The period average rainfall increased by 18.67 mm while the period average pan evaporation increased by 0.97 mm d $^{-1}$ . The period average wind speed increased by 0.21 m s $^{-1}$ during the second period. The only weather parameter that showed a decreasing trend was relative humidity (period mean relative humidity by 1.14 percent). The change in the climatic patterns of Kuwait environment in terms of increasing temperature, wind speed and pan evaporation may be viewed with serious concerns. The increasing trend in the rainfall pattern is a happy signal from environmental and agricultural point of view. In the context of changing climatic patterns, it is necessary to assess the exact causes of the same and to take possible remedial measures.